Lady Eagles Soar into OWC Play With 71-39 Win on Tillamook

STAYTON, Ore.– It’s probably safe to say that the Stayton Lady Eagles are ready for the Oregon West Conference after their 71-39 win over Tillamook to end the preseason.

Behind four three-pointers in a 6-4 game, the Eagles are soaring into the OWC with a 9-3 record on the season and a five-game winning streak.

“We were trying to make some adjustments and try to do some different things and we eventually got going again,” said Stayton Head Coach Melissa Hollenbeck. “It was very important that we didn’t dig ourselves in a hole, we stayed out in front, we stayed tough and that’s what I wanted the girls to keep pushing and keep persevering through.”

Within the first 45 seconds of the game, Stayton jumped out to a 6-0 lead from tip.

But, with their shots that stop falling, the Cheesemakers capitalized and almost tied it at six before a Alexis Zuercher lay-up attempt bounced off her knee and went out of bounds and in favor of Stayton.

A sigh of relief for the Eagles as they regained their concentration following the push.

Rachel Doran (white) making a throw-back before the ball goes out of bounds (Picture By Jeremy McDonald)

“A lot of it is not losing our intensity,” said Tess Hendricks. “The bench helps out with our intensity. So constantly pushing, not stopping and when they score, not get in our heads. We need to take care of ourselves.”

For Malya Ikea-Mario, it’s about just keeping themselves pumped to remained focused through those situations.

“We just have to keep each other pumped up, making sure we’re loud and just making sure we keep the intensity up,” she said.

Stayton were ready when the moment presented itself as their lead grew to 34-16 by halftime and 57-29 entering the fourth quarter as they now turn their focus to Newport.

“It gives us a good mindset going into league,” said Hendricks. “Having a lot more confidence and playing Newport on Tuesday.”

Ikea-Mario, who scored 10 in the contest, expressed her excitement about league starting.

“It really gets me pumped for season and ready to go to take (on) Newport. We’re ready to take them on Tuesday,” she said.

Jeremy McDonald is a professional sports journalist in the Salem/Portland area and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist in Oregon with B.S. degrees from Southern Oregon University in Journalism (2011) and Health/PE (2013). Got a story idea? Email him at jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com or on Twitter at @J_McDonald81!